Vol. IV, # 12, Oct. 28, 2005

Teacher Bob Will Be Honored As an Outstanding Christian Educator

Bob Shepherd will be among the men and women who will be honored at the Second Annual Christian Educators Recognition Banquet, hosted by the Center for Congregational Ministry, on Friday evening, November 18th.

The ceremony recognizes the commitment and the service of "Outstanding Christian Educators." It will be held in Lingle Hall, on the campus of Union Theological Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education, at 7 PM.

The speaker on this occasion will be Dr. John Kinney, Dean of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Dr. Kinney is widely recognized as one of the finest speakers in Virginia.

Members of River Road Church are cordially invited to attend the ceremony. The cost to attend the banquet is $25 per person, payable to "Center for Congregational Ministry" and placed in the hands of Bob Dibble by no later than Tuesday, November 1st.

Bob will be joined by Connie Showalter at this recognition service as the two educators nominated by River Road Church for their continuing excellence in Christian education.

The SSBSC Did Well for CARITAS

SERVED ONE MEAL, THEN TOOK ANOTHER

Nine class members cooked and served dinner to forty guests from CARITAS last Friday night at church. Our menu of meat loaf, green beans, baked potatoes, and dessert was an attractive conclusion to a week-long hosting of men and women from CARITAS by the River Road Church family.

Miller Alvis, Ellie Cox, Susan Gordon, Emily King, Bess Price, George and Carolyn Thomas, and Charlotte and Bill Simpson comprised the class team.

As our class members were signing off for the night, we received a real surprise: a second opportunity to provide a meal. A nearby school had ordered a spaghetti dinner for parents and children as a fund-raiser and had a considerable amount left over. They offered it to us and we discovered that the Salvation Army would gratefully accept it, so we promptly delivered it there safe and sound about 10 PM.

Prayer Rounds

Both of our Don's have serious medical problems.

Don Thomson is dealing with cancer lesions in the lungs and bones of his body. His pain is managed by medication and Don returned to his apartment home yesterday. He is in good spirits. His Masonic Lodge has committed to provide transportation to and from his various appointments. Charlotte and Bill have committed our class to take him meals and visit with him. Can you help? Don lives near the intersection of Gayton Road and Ridgefield Parkway, at 2515 Potomac Hunt Lane, Apartment 1-D. His telephone number is 364-8247. If you are traveling north on Gayton Road, cross Ridgefield Parkway and turn into his apartment complex at the third left.

Roberta Alexander is going to take care of the meals from Thursday dinner through Sunday dinner. He will still welcome visits this weekend, however, but please call ahead to clear it with Don.

MONDAY, October 31 - Dinner and visit - Charlotte and Bill Simpson

Shepsons who would like to prepare and bring a meal should let Don or Bill and Charlotte know when you can bring a meal or meals.

Shepson Don Bunn is also dealing with cancer and when PH last heard, he was a patient at the Westport Manor Nursing Home.

PH received an E-mail from Kathy Wade and Kathy provided an update on her own health. Kathy writes:

"As for my own health, my hematologist gave me the very welcomed news this week that I have one remaining chemo shot to take next month and that should be all. I've been having the typical side effects but the blessing through it all is no nausea and I'm able to work without having to take extended sick leave. That's the best thing."

Remember in your prayers: Don Thomson, Don Bunn, Wayland Andrews, Kathy Wade, the RRCB Micah Team, CrossOver West Clinic, Drew Llewellyn, Jeanette Gholston, Kay and Bob Culpepper, Philip and Shanna Davis, the VCU BSU, Julia Tyler and her parents, the youth of the church, the Church clergy, the church staff and all of the mission efforts of RRCB. Prayers should also be offered for all those who have lost loved ones or material possessions as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, as well as prayers for our men and women in the armed forces, civilians around the world in harm's way and for those only known to you.

SSBSC Treasurer Dick Morris reports that our class’ Missions Fund balance as of October 23rd is $501.88.

What's Happening This Weekend of Interest to Shepsons?

Tonight, Friday, October 28 – 7 PM to 8:30 PM – Trunk or Treat in the Church Parking Lot.

Saturday, October 29 Rob Brown is Twenty-nine.

Sunday, 9:45 AM Teacher Bob will lead us in our continued study of II Samuel beginning at chapter 8, verse 1.

Sunday, 11 AM Worship, the Manhattan Piano Trio and Commitment Sunday

Sunday, 12 noon Free Lunch

Sunday, 5 PM First Concert of the 2005-2006 RRCB Concert Season featuring the Manhattan Piano Trio.

Monday BOO

Random Thoughts to Ponder

from John Donne

He brought light out of darkness, not out of a lesser light, and he can bring thee summer out of winter, though thou hast no spring. Though in the ways of fortune, understanding, or conscience thou hast been benighted till now, wintered and frozen, clouded and eclipsed, damped and benumbed, smothered and stupefied, now God comes to thee, not as the dawning of the day, not as the bud of the spring, but as the sun at noon.

from William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So it is now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

William Wordsworth, "Intimations of Immortality"

from C. S. Lewis

Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement. He is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor - that is the only way out of a hole. This process of surrender - this movement full speed astern - is repentance.

PH

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